Married women observe Vat-Savitri Fast for the long life of their husband. On this day, women keep fast and worship the Vat (Bargad) tree to pray for the good fortune for their husband and the family. They worship and propitiate Goddess Savitri.

This Year Vat-Savitri Fast will be observed on 17th May 2015

Auspicious time (as per 24-hour clock with local time of New Delhi) for offering prayers on this day is as follows:

07:15 – 12:18

13:59 - 15:40

Legend

The fast has been named after Savitri. Once there was the King Aswapati of Madra. He was blessed with a beautiful daughter Savitri. She chose Satyawaan as her husband. Satyawaan was a prince in exile, and he was living in the forest with his blind father, Dyumatsen. Savitri left her palace and started living with her husband and the in-laws in the forest. She was a loyal daughter-in-law and wife. She was committed to a family.

One day while cutting a tree, Satyawaan fell down and his head hitted the ground . Savitri came there and kept his head on her lap but, unfortunately, he expired. At that time, Yamraj, the death God, appeared to take away the soul of Satyawaan from his body. Savitri was deeply hurt and pleaded to Yamraj that she did not want to be separated from her husband. If Yamraj would take away the soul of her husband she would also follow. Yamraj, moved by the devotion of Savitri returned the life of her husband. Satyawaan regained life, and there after both of them lived happily.

Way to keep fast on Vat-Savitri Fast

On this day, women wake up early in the morning. After taking a bath they wear new clothes and bangles and apply vermilion on the forehead and in the hair parting line. Then they worship Savitri and Vat (Bargad) tree. After that they offer rice, wet pulses, jack fruit, mango, banana, and several other fruits.